Let Your Kingdom Come

How has accepting Christ changed the way I live? How do I now honor God with my life? Both are questions I've been wielding to further examine and ponder how I use the time and breath I currently have on loan. Jesus gave us a living example to model our lives by, footprints, by which if we should only follow them, we would be led down the straight and narrow road to a life well pleasing to God. By looking at the example of how Jesus lived in order to honor God, I begin to see specific themes and issues that he cared about and taught on.


Matthew 9:35-38

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Matthew 20: 25-28

25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, [1] 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, [2] 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

1 Peter 4:11

11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Galatians 5: 22-24

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Psalm 102: 18-22

18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come,
so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord:
19 that he looked down from his holy height;
from heaven the Lord looked at the earth,
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners,
to set free those who were doomed to die,
21 that they may declare in Zion the name of the Lord,
and in Jerusalem his praise,
22 when peoples gather together,
and kingdoms, to worship the Lord.

Ephesians 5: 1-2

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Mark 16: 15

15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

2 Corinthians 5: 17-19

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. [1] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling [2] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Matthew 25: 34-40

34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, [1] you did it to me.’

Jesus made service to the poor, sacrifice, suffering, and sharing the Good News with all people a priority in his life. How does this affect the way I react to people I encounter? My future plans? My decisions? My Friendships? My attitude?

Things I am pondering.

I count everything as loss

(My great good friend Matthew Clark during Spring Break at SOS in Memphis)

There are so many things that I want to pen to paper, or type into my laptop, but I have had to resist. Nursing school continues to amaze me with its ability to progressively capture away the hours of the day. We have just embarked into the foreign world of Maternity, and it's providing many with labor pains. However, I am refreshed after a week well spent with my dad and friends in Memphis, and it could not have come at a better time. Unexpectedly, I found myself leading a group of college students from Austin, TX in serving Miss Mattie in the Bing (affectionate term for the neighborhood of Binghampton, inner city Memphis, and Lord willing, future place to call home before saying goodbye to the US) by heading up the re-roofing of her home. I was able to lead the devotions time we had each afternoon, and was particularly encouraged by the words of a couple currently serving in East Asia who used to work with SOS. Their names have been changed, but I'll call them David and Karen. They and their 3 small children now live in a major city while taking language classes and working on a local college campus, meeting freshman and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. The catch is, evangelism is illegal in this country and their work of sharing the good news must be kept under the radar. They hope to raise up disciples among these college students who will then continue to spread the Good News to their own people.

Here's the letter from Karen that was used for our Wednesday devotional:

At 10 p.m. on a Friday night last month, while David was away at an evangelism event on campus, I was curled up in a ball in our frigid, unheated bedroom, crying my heart out. Nothing tragic was happening, to speak of. I had simply been in a foreign land for 17 months, rarely leaving my apartment, covered up to my ears in diaper wipes and peanut butter sandwiches, and a part of me was beginning to ask, “Why?” I had seen a picture of my little brother on the internet that afternoon, and he looked like a guy nearing 30 (which indeed he is). A literal ache began in my chest, and only worsened as the evening wore on. I tried to video-call my mom, but our connection betrayed us. I was left with nothing but the image of her in a bathrobe frozen on my screen, with an odd look on her face. It was too late to call my friends here. I would never phone David during an evangelism event. I was homesick and alone. It is hard to be a stay-at-home missionary. I have made all of the sacrifices of a missionary, but I reap few of the immediate rewards. Each morning I kiss David goodbye and he disappears behind the elevator doors, only to reappear 7 hours later, the world a little more aware of Jesus. I pray. I stay up on what is going on. I bake pies for team dinners. However, for the most part, I do the same things that I did in America, except I cannot go out to lunch with my mom, or drop the kids off at my mother-in-law’s when I have a hair appointment, or even speak to my neighbor. It is a lonely existence much of the time. It is a high-stress existence. It is easy to lose focus and forget why we came here. All of this was made worse last month, as the semester was coming to a close with little to show for it, and we were embarking on our second consecutive holiday season away from the USA. As I lay crying on my bed that Friday night, I repeated a simple prayer over and over from the very gut-bottom of my heart, “Lord, make it worth it. Make it worth it…”

…And then, at about 11 p.m., the key turned in the lock and David came through the door, his face glowing, his eyes warm with the light of the Holy Spirit. He smiled, and even before he told me the good news, I knew that God had answered my prayer. The tears flowed again, only this time they were tears of joy. Three young men had decided to follow Jesus that evening. Three new names in the book of life. Three future husbands, fathers, grandfathers, teachers, bosses, neighbors, friends, who would reach the world around them with the peace that now flooded them from head to toe. If we had not come, who would have told them? If we had not come, how would David have played basketball with them a few weeks ago, a random group of gangly college boys, only to meet with them again to share the good news of Jesus and challenge them to believe? And so we stood in our living room, the clock nearing midnight, praising God and embracing one another as the Christmas tree blinked and the children slept in their beds. “This is why I came,” I said. “Yes,” David said, looking me in the face, “This is why we came.”

-----

I'm reminded of the amazing times when God has done marvelous things for my good, but for his glory. I think back to my spinal injury during my senior season of wrestling, happening just before the state tournament, before nursing was even a twinkling in my eye. I was hurt, having put so many hours into something I was passionate about, watching what had been my best year end abruptly. Fast forward two years and you would find me sitting in a hospital during my third interview with the facility, being told that I had slipped through the cracks and there wasn't a position open on the cardiac floor for the hours I could work. "We like you. Let me see if there are any other positions available on other floors." I am technically hired on Joint Replacement, but have been scheduled on the Spine Center basically since I was hired. I can offer a glimpse of hope for patients because I have been in their shoes, I can relate to the pain they have felt, and I am a better tech because of it. I praise God that he allowed my disks to herniate; that he allowed my dad to be downsized from a job he was incredible at, that God might show his provision and faithfulness in ways more grand than a paycheck, and bring our family closer together in the process.

Psalm 102:18-22 “Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD: that he looked down from his holy height; from heaven the LORD looked at the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, to SET FREE those who were doomed to die, that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD, and in Jerusalem his praise, when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the LORD.”

I now have to go study maternity, but as we go forth from here, what I want you to remember and know are these 3 crucial truths:

1) God’s number one agenda is to make much of His own name, thus, acting for His own glory. Being that this is His agenda and we are His followers, it only makes sense that this must also become our agenda – to live for the glory of God in all things. (Phil. 2:9-11, Isa 43:25)

2) God’s call for discipleship is radical and contrary to everything we see and know. In this call, Jesus asks us to consider the cost – that of giving up your own life, living for the glory of another (God) and not yourself, treasuring Christ as the most important thing in your life, and, yes, even suffering and enduring hardship for the name of Jesus and the Gospel.

3) The reward of following Jesus and responding to God’s call is the best and most rewarding decision you could ever make. We have to believe this is true, that Jesus truly is our greatest treasure. We make a “sacrifice” only to receive something better – intimacy and relationship with our Lord and Creator!

Enjoy Christ! Enjoy Christ! And enjoy Christ!

Hiding

I'm into my second week of memorizing scripture with a few of my roommates. This time next year, I pray that we've hidden at least 52 verses in our hearts in order that we might not sin against God (Psalm 119: 11). Deuteronomy 7: 9 christened our trek through the Word.

9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations

I wanted to start this as I've been thinking about what it looks like to mirror Christ; to be intimately involved with the life of the Son, and a few of my roommates were on board. Jesus quoted parts of our verse for this week (Deut. 10: 12-13) when he was questioned by pharisees as to which commandment was greatest. When tempted or when questions were asked, Jesus would answer with scripture. I have so enjoyed praying and dwelling on a few verses and being able to say them from my heart. Deut. 7: 9 has been such a beacon of light for me when I've struggled with whatever. Offering grace, being joyful, keeping my tongue in check, keeping my eyes in check, whatever. I've used it out of context, preaching it to myself and it still seems to reorient me to truth, and not my deceitful self. I trust the breath of God, and I'm learning to not trust myself, unless I know it lines up with what He says. God has equipped us with the tools for life, providing the foundation for what a life that counts looks like. I'm excited to see how God blesses and uses this discipline to further and enrich his Kingdom. I wholeheartedly urge you to give it a try.

Carpentry

Today, God blessed me with a saw and drill, and a great conversation with a funny old man.

I have been waiting patiently to buy tools of my own, but friends, this has been quite the chore. Over the years I have borrowed from friends, been creative, and often leaned on the Church to provide for my utility needs. I pictured having to wait until I convinced my wife that we should register for a saw instead of a microwave, but I was wrong. I checked craigslist, made a phone call, and before long, off I was in search of a friendly voice's house. Each time I called, an older woman would answer, having seemingly been awakened from her nap, and holler across the house for Gary. I patiently waited for him to come to the phone, and decided to leave my "I know construction, so don't try to jip me" tone behind. He said "hello" and I asked how his day was going, catching him off guard. We chatted for a bit, and he invited me over to take a look at the tools. I fought the unploughed roads leading to his house, but arrived safely.

At the front door, I experienced one of my quirky loves: the dialogue inside that springs forth after someone rings a doorbell. Quick shuffling, "Gary, he's here, go get the door," she voiced. She answered the door. "Hello, Gary's in the back, but come on in." I step inside and close the door. Two cats rush past me down the corridor carved through the things cluttering the room. I think to myself, "Crazy cat couple; remember the exit for a quick get-away." I immediately judge them for the disarray around me. No! In the moment I chide myself and pray for a softer heart. By God's grace, my mind is brought to a right perspective.

Gary enters the scene, suspenders working hard, slicked back gray hair, and a firm hand shake. He brings out the case. "I'm selling them for my brother. Not even sure if they work, no battery you see." I give them a quick look over. They are in great condition. I tell him about having done roofing in Memphis and that this cordless circular saw would have come in handy. This spurs him to take out his wallet and grab an old business card, flip it over and take down my info, writing roofer next to my name and number. I try to explain that I have limited experience, and that I'm in nursing school, and attempt to discredit myself enough to avoid a phone call asking for me to re-roof a house. He writes part-time roofer instead. Feeling defeated, and expecting a call sometime soon, I pull out my wallet and hand him the money. "If they don't work, go ahead and bring them back," he says. I explain that I know I'm taking a risk, and not to worry about that. I thank him and start to head for the door.

He stops and tells me that he used to be a nurses' aid many years ago. I explain that I am also an aid at Boone hospital. After a very winded story about an experience he had as an aid, he urges me to really care for and about my patients. Words I always need to hear. I want work to never just be work, but an opportunity to worship Christ and wash feet. I am reminded of a verse in James 4 in which "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God." Thank you God for also having the grace to humble my pride.

God continues his work on me, refining me into an image of his son. Lots of canvas yet to paint, but I am encouraged by the growth I can see within myself. All glory be to God for this mighty work of his grace. A few verses later, James reads, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." This is great truth.

After buying a saw and reflecting on the day, I can't help but think of Joseph. A carpenter by trade, and Jesus, his apprentice. I am thankful that God directed my eye to craigslist today, that he might humble and bless me in a cluttered old house with a friendly old man.

a lungful of air

Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you. (Psalm 63:3)

I ran into a good friend last night before work that I haven't been able to talk with for a while. It was really pleasant to quickly catch up on each others lives and what's been going on. It was over faster than I wished, but that's the theme of my song tonight. During the conversation we somehow got onto the topic of the brevity of life, well, this life. Working at a hospital on floors with a primarily older patient population lends to a special insight on life. We're getting old. We all get old. At 22, I half-genuinely joke about feeling the effects of aging. My ankles seemingly have small explosions each morning, my ears are starting to grow prepubescent beards, and people now call at 9:00 p.m. and ask, "Did I wake you?" At the hospital I see more moons than the Hubble Telescope, but I'm beginning to put together the clues. Old rumps may they be, these clues lead to the realization that these vessels in which we dwell, and the time that we spend in them is but a breath (Job 7:7).

"You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes" (James 4:14). That is, I must keep in mind that I have no firm substance on this earth. I am as fragile as mist and vapor. I must keep in mind that I have no durability on this earth, for I appear "for a little time" - just a little time. My time is short. Your time is short. And keep in mind that you will disappear. You and I will be gone, and life will go on without us. It matters, James says, that we keep this view of life in mind.

God means for the truth about himself and about life to be known and felt and spoken as part of our reason for being. Gazing at life from that angle spurs me to move with haste. It causes me to laugh at entertaining ideas of loitering on my heavenly expedition. Oh, that my life would be a vivid, powerful testimony to the truth that God can and does use weak men to accomplish amazing things for his glory.

The call of the gospel is to a life that counts. God is the initiator of his mission to redeem, through the Church, a special people for Himself from all of the peoples of the world. He sent His Son for this purpose and He sends the Church into the world with the message of the gospel for the same purpose. As the psalm I started with expresses, creation exists that we may live in such a way that affirms that Jesus is more precious than life. More precious than life. Jesus, help me to make that a reality, that others would see that you are the most valuable thing in my life. Help me to sacrifice myself for the good of others so that it is unquestionably apparent that my treasure is not on this earth. Let me not be a carbon copy of the world.

God governs my life - its length and its achievement. I don't have a say in when I go, but I will be obedient to his commission. I'm only misty for a little time. Time to move my feet.

Radiating Joy

radiating joy is real
because Christ is everywhere--
Christ in our hearts,
Christ in the poor we meet,
Christ in the smile we give
and in the smile that we receive.

--mother teresa.

I want to live with the radiating joy of Christ in my life in every moment. Lord would you be so evident?

<-- Harar, Ethiopia Jan. 2009

Rooted

Lord, make me into a beautiful child who only gets his love from you; a tree with roots so deep that I never turn away from you. Your living waters flow deep within the soil around me. Help me to see these wells, so as to prosper and grow with branches lifted high in praise, and give glory to you. Plant me where you will.